India’s now first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman in coloured clothing, KL Rahul, recently selected the cricketer he would prefer to bat for his life.
Rahul picked his captain and close friend Virat Kohli, while heaping praises for the prolific run-scorer in all formats.
“I will bat myself as I value my life the most. I think I would pick Virat (Kohli) because I know, everybody knows he is a great player. We share a great friendship and he will give it all to save my life,” Rahul told TV presenter Suhail Chandok on Instagram Live.
Both Rahul and Kohli have had common stints at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Indian team.
After a couple of years at RCB, Rahul made a move north with a lucrative contract offered by Preity Zinta’s Kings XI Punjab (KXIP).
Ravi Shastri and Co. backed the abilities of the Karnataka stalwart and gave him the opportunity at the highest level during 2014 India’s tour of Australia.
Rahul reaped the rewards for the faith entrusted on him by bringing up his maiden Test ton in Sydney. Since then, KL never looked back and became an indispensable figure in all formats of the game.
He is amongst the only few Indian batsmen to have centuries in all formats of the game. After a rough patch, Rahul ended up losing his place in the Tests.
The recently concluded season, however, staged the comeback of the Karnataka ace, as he went on to pile up runs in white-ball cricket. Despite decent performances in the tournament, Rahul was not included in the ODI plans post World Cup exit in England.
Against odds, the flamboyant stroke maker displayed immense character to retain his place in the Indian side.
By the end of the season, he went on to solve India’s brittle middle-order woes as well as donning the finishers’ role at number five. Ahead of Rishabh Pant, Rahul took on the gloves behind the wicket during the ODI series against Australia and New Zealand.
